PMcClure

How long have you been married?

The low vacuum trips the master alarm in the Ovation, which has an indicator light directly next to the digital vacuum gauge. I bet I had the stand by pump switched on within 5 seconds of the pump failing. But in some planes, it is not so easy to recognize. I sure would like to get rid of the vacuum system all together as I think the King AI and vacuum pump are the least reliable POS in the entire aviation world. But I am holding out for an all digital AI that will drive my A/P. Will it ever be available? I know an

sheared

That is kind of the point of the original rant. For $600 you think a pump would be more reliable or at least predicable.

I'll check these points, thank you. I do know a new filter was installed and lines cleaned or replaced at annual. New filter ordered is a RAPCO RAB3-5-1. Interesting point on the Tempest, I'll look into that. Regarding failure modes I have experienced 3 pump failures, one in IMC, 2 in VFR. 1st one failed at 500 hours, 2nd one was infant mortality as was this 3rd one. Mind you I only have about 800 hours flying. My Ovation has a stand by pump and back up AI. The 1st failure was in an older Mooney with no back up pump or AI. That one was in VFR as was this last one, thank goodness. The failure in IMC was in my Bonanza which also had a history of erratic AP issues. It did not have a standby AI but did have a standby vacuum pump. I had fewer hours experience then. It took me a while to recognize diagnose and act. I don't want to do that in IMC again, but do practice partial panels more often as a result. Bottom line, it seems infant mortality is a bigger risk than flying around with an 800 hour pump.

Thanks for the advice. I am generally in the "ain't broke don't fix it" camp. But general advise is to replace vacuum pumps at 500 if you fly IFR and depend on it. How many people subscribe to this theory. Or better to just let it fail whenever.

I replaced my perfectly fine vacuum pump last annual with over 800 hours as part of preventative maintenance. Only to have it fail for no good reason a few months later. $638 part that should cost about $100. Plus the cost to remove, replace, remove and replace. I have had similar experiences with batteries, alternators, starters, fuel pumps etc... It chaps my hide that these parts cost 5-10 times what they should but then fail and could kill you. And in general, recovering warranty value is a major hassle. Pump was a SIGMATEK AIR PUMP 1U128-006. Rant over. Thank you.

My procedure is to switch batteries as the first item on my checklist before anything else. I have switched them in flight before, but generally don't see the need.

Go see it! Hanks delivers again.

Reading the article closely, they didn't enter the destination incorrectly, but the starting point. They noticed after becoming airborne and the plane wanted to go the wrong direction. Why do they have to enter the starting point, even my Mooney knows where it is all by itself.

You don't even need an air foil to demonstrate Bernoulli. Shoot an air steam across a flat sheet of paper and it will rise. A wing provides lift in three ways. 1. Newton; down flow of air causes equal and opposite reaction (lift) 2. Differential pressure; high pressure under wing causes lift like a kite on a string!or your hand out the window.) 3, Bernoulli: laminar flow across top wing shape causes a low pressure area on top creating lift.

I used to love that song! If I remember history correctly, we own our eventual victory to France/Napoleon who smashed the Brits at sea.

Looks like a bear to taxi, but sexy!

Please F of eh, ah Thank you......

F of, eh.... Those damn Canadians. Always loosing their temper!

I think that is right. In radar coverage they should know our course heading. Seems unlikely they could know the winds correction at different altitudes, speeds. etc... When they get you set up, I see why they ask so they can check for conflicts, etc.. But why do they ask you this in cruise? Are they just checking for wind? Inquiring minds want to know?

Question - when asked for heading, do you give your heading or course? I respond with my compass heading but that doesn't account for wind correction angle which I have seen as high as 30 degrees. If they are asking that for traffic separation, it seems they need the course?

I was vectored into the restricted area next to Huntsville, AL once. The controller angrily asked me what I was doing there and I told him he vectored me here. No further discussions. Most of the time on VFR FF the headings are "suggested".

We ship a lot of airfreight and courier packages internationally. AU seems to be the highest cost. Some suggestions - check with air freight, typically about 33%-50% the cost of courier and with 5-7 day international service. You may have to do door to airport, meaning your consignee will need to clear customs and pick-up at the airport or arrange delivery. One carrier we have been experimenting with is Pilot Freight Systems. Good prices and so far no service failures. Another option is to find someone in your area that has an account. Large shippers get up to 75% off published rates at Fedex/UPS, etc...

Try a boat, weighed down with 2400 lbs of ballast. 53 gallons disappears is a flash!

I am missing several segments. I understand they can be repaired fairly easy.

My plans - let ATC know I have minimum fuel, meaning "please help me out". Or a Fuel Emergency, which means, "get everyone else the hell out of my way, I am pointed at the RR." Of course, I hope neither of these situations happen as I would have planned a divert well before either situation occurred. But it is possible in a hold.

I can see we need to review Significant Figures! Here is a primer. https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/decimals-pre-alg/sig-figs-pre-alg/v/significant-figures

SUB-CLASS TYPE OF RECORD PERFORMANCE DATE CLAIMANT STATUS ID C-1c Aeroplane Efficiency 9 km/kg 2016-07-12 Thierry Saint Loup (USA) preliminary record claim received 17886 FAI Record File Num #17886 [Direct Link] Status: preliminary record claim received Region: World Class: C (Powered Aeroplanes) Sub-Class: C-1c (Landplanes: take off weight 1000 to 1750 kg) Category: Not applicable Group: 1 : internal combustion engine Type of record: Aeroplane Efficiency Performance: 9 km/kg Date: 2016-07-12 Course/Location: Fairfield, NJ (USA) Claimant Thierry Saint Loup (USA) Crew Thierry Saint Loup (USA), Ross McCurdy (USA) Cessna 182

Pretty sure I could do this in my Ovation (close anyway) and way faster than 9 hours. I know I could do it in my F model without even thinking about it. http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/ex-attleboro-pilot-completes-record-setting-fuel-efficiency-flight/article_fb2cd210-4aae-11e6-a900-53cc6bd2c378.html